Dhe European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has landed two major orders. As announced on Thursday evening, Air France-KLM has ordered 100 short- and medium-haul A320neo and A321neo aircraft. The Paris-based airline wants to renew its European fleet and points to the better fuel and CO2 balance of the new models. The first deliveries are expected in the second half of 2023.
In addition, Air France-KLM has secured a purchase right for a further 60 aircraft from the A320neo family and signed a letter of intent for the acquisition of four Airbus A350F cargo aircraft. The airline currently operates a total of 502 aircraft.
The day before it had been announced that Qantas wanted to renew its fleet with Airbus machines. The Australian airline has ordered 20 A321XLR and 20 A220-300 aircraft each and has secured the option to purchase a further 94 aircraft. These machines are also expected to be delivered from mid-2023. American competitor Boeing was outperformed on both orders.
“The lives of so many passengers touched”
Meanwhile, Emirates took over the last remaining Airbus A380 in Hamburg on Thursday. The Arab airline announced this in the afternoon. In total, since the A380 program started 21 years ago, Airbus has manufactured 251 machines of this type and delivered them to 14 airlines. With 123 aircraft purchased, Emirates is by far the most important A380 customer.
In contrast to the commercial start of the giant plane, the delivery took place without any major spectacle: Due to the ongoing corona pandemic, guests were excluded from the handover on the factory premises. Emirates boss Tim Clark spoke of a “very special aircraft” that has opened up the possibility of efficiently serving the demand at airports with limited slots. “The A380 will remain Emirates’ flagship for years to come.”
After Emirates had already decommissioned five aircraft, the airline’s fleet currently comprises 118 A380s. Airbus boss Guillaume Faury thanked Emirates for the “unshakable confidence” in the aircraft. “The A380 touched the lives of so many passengers with the new standards it set for flight and travel experiences. I am confident that this will continue to be the case with Emirates in the coming decades. “
.